Somerset Premier
Imperial 37, Wiveliscombe 31

WIVELISCOMBE'S position at the top of Somerset Premier lasted just one week after they lost to Bristol-based Imperial, who themselves are looking for honours in this tightly contested league, writes Roger Bellamy.

Imperial were in no mood to allow the visitors a chance to work their way into the game and were dominant through the first quarter. 

Playing down the slope with the breeze at their backs, Imperial took a 17-0 lead and things looked grim for the visitors. 

Tries from Dan Bissot and Lee Jones put the home team on the front foot, with Ross Hickory converting both and also adding one penalty.

Wiveliscombe would have to show good character to come back from this set back against Imperial, but the visitors were struggling to find good field position which made it difficult to launch any meaningful attacks. 

Wivey scored their first try through talisman Jake Sharland, who collected a speculative kick by full-back George Rowe to round the home defence. 

Gareth Bellamy converted to close the gap to 17-7 at half time. 

Playing with the slope advantage in the second period, Wivey again were slow to start and the home team put them under early pressure. 

The physical approach throughout caused the West Somerset team problems, stopping the visitors from playing their open running game. 

Wiveliscombe were next to score, however, again through Sharland who proved to quick for Imperial's cover defence - Bellamy's conversion reduced the deficit to three points.

Ross Hickory, who was influential throughout the game, soon kicked a penalty for Imperial but Wiveliscombe responded when prop Matthew Ellis finished off a set penalty move to score near the posts. 

Bellamy kicked his third conversion to give the visitors a 21-20 lead.

Although playing up the slope, the home team looked the stronger going into the last quarter as Wivey continued to struggle to find any fluency in their play. 

Imperial outscored their visitors three tries to two in this period to earn a vital win. 

Ryan Randall, Paul Musgrove and Jay Wilkins were the try scorers with Hickory converting one.

Wiveliscombe had to rely on Sharland, who took his try count to four for the match, but with time running out it was Imperial who had the last say with a Wilkins try for a full-time score of 37-31 to the hosts. 

Gordano retake top position in the Somerset Premier League with Wivey's two loosing bonus points leaving them a point adrift in second.

Just nine points separate the top four teams in this league so there is all to play for in the coming weeks.

Wivey will look to get back on track on Saturday in the West Somerset derby at home to Minehead Barbarians.

Somerset Two South
Wiveliscombe 2nd XV 34, Minehead 2nd XV 29

WIVEY had to field a makeshift team in this West Somerset Derby but, to their credit, the mixture of youth and experience proved to be enough to strengthen their mid-table position. 

The home team had two players crossing for two tries each, Eoghan Westhaff and Mick Loader, while Ryan Overthrow added one penalty and three conversions.

Next week, the second XV travel to their Yeovil counterparts.